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Roberto Martinez took a mix of youth and experience across Lancashire to face League One side Oldham Athletic and came away impressed with the performance of his side despite being held to a 1-1 draw.
Martinez opted to mix it up a bit giving him the opportunity to give a run out to some of the younger players , some of his experienced stars, his new additions and also one or two brought in on trial.
The Wigan squad sporting their new home strip for the very first time included multi-million pound signing Mauro Boselli who was given his first taste of English football when he entered the fray for the second half as his new gaffer made several changes during the break.
The Argentinian wasted little time in making his mark with an impressive run that culminated in his fierce shot beating Oldham keeper Dean Brill but unfortunately failing to get the better of the bar.
As the game drew to a close the former Estudiantes striker cracked a superb volley from six yards out but was this time thwarted by an outstanding save from Brill.
The home side took the advantage early in the game with the diminuitive Dale Stephens hitting a low drive past on loan keeper Ali Al-Habsi after Wigan failed to properly clear a Ritchie Jones cross.
New Oldham manager Paul Dickov would have been pleased with his side in the early exchanges with his side testing the Wigan goal on more than one occasion and it wasn’t until midway through the opening period before Jason Scotland tested Brill for the first time.
The Trinidad and Tobago international and his first half strike partner did go on to create more opportunities but just couldn’t breach their host’s defences for the equaliser leaving Wigan to go into the dressing room at half time a goal down.
Martinez made sweeping changes to his line up for the restart with what could well be his first choice strike force thrown into the mix as Mauro Boselli and Hugo Rodallega took to the field in place of Scotland and Moses.
However moments after West Yorshire offical Jonathan Moss had restarted the game it was another of the half time replacements that grabbed the equaliser.
Almost immediately Wigan charged their way upfield with Boselli involved from the outset and as Jordi Gomez weaved his way into the area wth the ball he was cruely stopped in his tracks by young Oldham defender Paul Black leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot.
Gomez stepped up to take the penalty himself and despite Brill getting down smartly to his right the Spanish midfielder’s strike proved too much for him as the ball rattled the back of the net.
Boselli then introduced himself properly to the travelling Wigan fans with his effort rattling the underside of the bar and further nice touches from the Argentinian showed his intentions for the new season.
Both sides had their chances to nick the game but in the end the performances of the players on the pitch was far more important to both managers than bragging rights.
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Dale Stephens
Ali Al-Habsi
Mike Pollitt
